Malt-kiln



(No Model.)

H. ALTENBRAND.

MALT KILN.

Patented Jan N. PETERS Photo-Lilhcgmpher. Washington. 0. c4

p UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY ALIENBRAND, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO LUGIUS G. FISHER, JR., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MALT-KILN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 271,184, dated January 23,. 1883. Application filed December 15, 1882. (No model.)

To alt whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, HENRYALTENBRAND, of Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, have invented certain Improvements in Malt-Kilns, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in' means, fully described hereinafter, whereby to create and maintain a continuous current of hot air from the furnace to the upper outlet of a malt-kiln, so as to rapidly extract and expel the moisture from the malt.

In the drawings, Figure l is a sectional elevation of a kiln, showing my invention; and Fig. 2 is a section showing a modification.

In Letters Patent granted to me April 17, 1877, I describe an apparatus for drying malt in which a blower anda perforated pipe are used to create a current of hot air and conduct it to the floors.

My present invention consists in means whereby to impart movement to such a body of heated air that it is carried directly from the furnace through the successivetloors ofa malthouse without the necessary intervention of anypipes or conduits, and wherebyI avoid the objectionstotheeinploymentofablower,which, by condensing the air and forcing it through the floors in a denser condition, prevents it from absorbing and carrying off the moisture to the extent it otherwise would.

In place of carrying the heated air from the furnace A by means of pipes leading to the different floors, I permit the heated air to flow directly into the chamber X below the lower perforated floor, A, of the malt-house O, and instead of using a blower for forcing the air upward from the lower compartment I place an exhaust-fan, D, so as to draw air from one of the upper outlets above the upper floor, so that the air is rarefied, and is carried in a rarefied condition from the furnace through the perforations of the successive floors, and finally expelled through the opening above the fan. By this means I not only avoid the expense incident to the use of long conducting tubes, but I further avoid localizing the currents, distribute the air over the whole floor, and lift the grain throughout the entire extent of the floors, carrying the air through rapidly, so that there can be little or no condensation of moist- 5o ure, and the latter is rapidly absorbed into the upflowing currents and carried away from the grain.

The lifting of the grain by the upflowing currents of air renders unnecessary the em but is effected without mashing or injuring the particles, liable to result when mechanical means are employedfor stirring. Moreover, the whole body of grain on the rectangular floors is stirred, whereas with ordinary stirrers having a circular sweep the corner portions are not affected.

The use of an exhaust apparatus for lifting the grain is important, for it has been found that an exhaust has a much better effect than a blower, as when the air is propelled from below it will seek the easiest passage out and loses force from leakage in the walls, 850., whereas when an exhaust is arranged above the floors the air is drawn through every portion of the floors, and slight leaks have no detrimental effect.

I am aware that it is not new to pass grain, &c., in drying over perforated screens through and over which hot air is carried, and that exhaust-fans. are used for this purpose as well as for drawing air over grain upon malt-floors, and I do not claim broadly the use of an exhaust in a malt-house, myinvention being distinguished by the fact that I dispense with mechanical stirrers, and secure the desired rapid drying effect by lifting and stirring the grain by an upward current produced by an exhaust apparatus.

The exhaust-fan can be arranged horizontally in the opening below the cupola, as shown in 0 Fig, 1; or two fans upon one shaft, (1, may be arranged in opposite openings in the vertical walls of the cupola; or any other desirable arrangement may be adopted. For instance, the

fan may be placed in one of the upper windows 5 or in a conduit leading to one of the upper outlets.

It will be evident that any suitable exhaust device (ejector or other appliance) may be substituted for the exhaust-fan.

I claim- 1. The withindescribed improvement in drying malt, the same consisting in drawing currents of Warm air upward through the body of malt in such manner as to lift and separatethe particles thereof. v

2. The combination, with the perforated floors 10 of a malt-house and with the furnace thereof,

of an exhaust apparatus communicating with the space above the upper floor, and constructed and provided with operating mechanism, as set forth, whereby the air above the malt is rarefied, and the particles of malt are lifted and separated by and exposed to rapidlyascending warm-air currents, as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set nay-hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY AL'IIEINBRANT). Witnesses:

CHARLES E. FOSTER, THOMSON H. PALMER. 

